Letters

DEAR EDITOR:Re: "From Liberty Hill to the Living Wage" by Robert Gottlieb and Peter Drier [October 2-8], I assume that both authors come from the Mike Davis school of Los Angeles history, in which Chicanos have played no significant part in this city. For example, they fail to mention that Los Angeles in the 'teens was a focal point of organizing by the brothers Ticardo and Enrique Flores Magon, who helped launch the Mexican Revolution of 1919. They were also convicted by a federal court of refusing to support the USA during World War I, and sent to Fort Leavenworth prison for their beliefs. But before they were convicted, both white and Mexican supporters staged a riot in the courtroom, which was quelled by Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies. This is historically significant!

And what about the Zoot Suit Riots and the Sleepy Lagoon case? The authors seem to regard historical events as significant only if progressive whites or blacks were involved. This is typical of the racism of the left in Los Angeles.

-Eugene HernandezHollywood

IT'S A SCANDAL! IT'S AN OUTRAGE!

DEAR EDITOR:I can only hope that Tulsa Kinney's "Hollywood Babble-On" [October 2-8] was intended as satire. Otherwise, it is a self-serving, sarcastic piece in which the author tries to justify boorish, annoying behavior at a public performance. Calling them "white trash" was too kind!

I have had countless live performances ruined by people just like them. When did these people decide that public venues are actually their own living rooms, where they can talk and make noise throughout the program, oblivious of those seated near them? Kinney and companion are just lucky that few arts-loving patrons of the Bowl, who have paid good money and want to be there, carry concealed weapons.

-Tom OgdenHollywood

DEAR EDITOR:I don't have much in common with Beverly Hills. I consider myself quintessentially proletarian. I could never afford a box seat at the Hollywood Bowl, and show tunes aren't my favorite type of music - but none of this excuses Tulsa Kinney and friend's trashy disregard for the feelings of their neighbors. My own reaction to the Beverly Hills sister's choice use of epithets is "Right on!"

Actually, Kinney got off easy with verbal abuse. If she and her boozy friend had sat next to me while I was trying to listen to something like Beethoven's Seventh, believe me, she'd have been fortunate if I hadn't busted them over the head with a champagne bottle.

-W. Joseph MillerLos Angeles

DEAR EDITOR:Tulsa Kinney would have us believe that the outrage expressed toward her and her incessantly chatty companion was based on classism - elitist snobs looking down their noses at perceived lowlifes who supposedly didn't belong in an exclusive seating section. Wrong. The quite understandable reaction was based on the fact that a horridly inconsiderate person had spoiled a night of music for many seated near her. Kinney issues the equally weak excuse that the behavior was somehow justified because the program of show tunes was boring. If the music doesn't appeal to you, why attend the program in the first place?

-David AlbertsonGlendale

DEAR EDITOR:Sober, Ms. Kinney might be able to comprehend that "white trash" is a lifestyle in America, not an immutable racial characteristic. I doubt a single concertgoer at the Bowl would have criticized Ms. Kinney or her friend if they hadn't been drunk and disorderly (also not an immutable racial characteristic). The piece would presumably have benefited from Ms. Kinney staying sober to write it. For help, call A.A.

-Ellen Hammill EllisonLos Angeles

DEAR EDITOR:There is white trash all through this town, driving Mercedes with digital car phones at ears dangling $1,000 earrings, sporting Armani. But that someone from my home state would behave so cowardly, then so casually and cleverly describe it . . . Next thing you know, Tulsa Kinney's behavior will trigger rejuvenation of the long-abandoned insult "Okie." But Okie parents teach their kids that "civility" means avoiding the giving of a social offense, including against those you don't know, or even don't like - or whose taste in music you don't share. Tulsa, did your mother raise you to behave this way? Mine didn't, and she still lives in Oklahoma. Grow up. Just a bit. Try very hard to quit embarrassing your heritage.

-Steve G. FinerockLos Angeles

DEAR EDITOR:This letter is in reference to the piece by Tulsa Kinney re the Hollywood Bowl snobs. No matter how bad someone behaves in public, there is no excuse for calling people names like "white trash." If you were to substitute any other color for the color white, you would appropriately be called a racist. If these people get so worked up about rowdy behavior at a public musical event, I'd like to know what really sets them off. If only they could get angry about the corruption in L.A. politics, the poor air quality or other areas that need serious attention.

-Michael T. JarvisLos Angeles

DEAR EDITOR:The "white trash" name-calling was disgusting. Every time you go to the Bowl, you hear wine bottles rolling down the stairs for an eternity till they smash. Tons of people get drunk there. Okay, so four people got disturbed - out of 20,000. When you think about the excellent satire and social commentary that resulted from their experience, it seems a small price.

I would like to let all the perfect people know that some of us are a little louder than others. Some of us are not as socially perfect as you. Forgive us, please. Forgive us for disturbing you. Thank you.

-Gene EvansLos Angeles

IT'S OUR JOB!

DEAR EDITOR:I am quite baffled by your paper's criticism of the efforts of the Los Angeles Police Department to disseminate relevant crime information ["Be Afraid. Be Very Afraid," OffBeat, October 2-8]. Clearly, one of the basic missions for which the police exist is to prevent crime. In a community-policing model, the police and the community work together in partnership to identify, eliminate and prevent problems that impact the community.

In support of the development and implementation of proactive problem-solving strategies to reduce the fear and incidence of crime, the department provides information on the prevention of crime to the public. The department distributes a variety of informative crime-prevention materials covering topics such as hate crimes, domestic violence, crime prevention through environmental design, and protecting your business and personal safety. Obviously, preventing criminal activity saves criminal-justice resources and, more important, reduces victimization and human misery.

I strongly encourage the public to avail themselves of crime-prevention education by contacting the department's Crime Prevention Section at (213) 485-3134. Additionally, a substantial amount of crime-prevention information is available on the Los Angeles Police Department's Web site, www.lapdonline.org.